SCHOOL UPGRADES ON TRACK FOR HUNTER

Parliamentary Secretary for Education Gareth Ward MP today visted two Hunter schools that received funding for upgrade and revdelopments as part of the NSW 2017-18 State Budget.

Mr Ward visted Belmont High School in Belmont and Newcastle East Public School in Newcastle to announce new classrooms for both schools.

The upgrdes to Belmont High School will deliver permanent accommodation for staff and students, an upgrade to the Special Education Unit, a new canteen, new toilets, geenral learning spaces, hospitality facitlities and performance spaces.

The upgrades to Newcastle East Public School will deliver the removal of demountable teaching spaces to provide more continuous open outdoor play space, provision of new future-focused teaching spaces, provision of a new school hall/communal gathering space and upgrade of some existing core facilities.

Mr Ward said it was great to see firsthand the NSW Government’s commitment to the public education system.

“These are terrific investments to upgrade the classrooms, outdoor learning spaces and facilities at both Belmont High School and Newcastle East Public School,” he said.

“As I travel across different regions as Parliament Secretatry for Education, I am constantly impressed by the standard of teaching and student behaviour at our public schools,” Mr Ward said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC said these upgrades are an example of the NSW Governmnt’s commitmnnt to education in the Hunter.

“Belmont High School and Newcastle East Public School are two examples of the Liberal National Government record investment into public education as part of the 2017 Budget” Mr MacDonald said.

“This Government is proud to show its dedication to maintinaing and upgrading exisitng schools as part of a considered and proactive process by the NSW Department of Education, rather than spurious efforts to build new schools for the sake of it.”

The NSW Government committed $4.2 billion for the dvelopment of new schools and school upgardes as part of the 2017 Budget, with $2.2 billion for projects commencing over the next two years to accommodate the projected growth of 21% in NSW public schools by 2031.